Four ways to eat less sugar

Sugar can be tough to avoid. So how do we get closer to meeting the World Health Organization's recommendations for maximum daily "added" sugar intake of no more than six teaspoons per day? Cutting back gets a whole lot easier once we start paying attention.

1. Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sugar-sweetened beverages are the leading source of "added" sugar in the American diet. A single 12-ounce bottle of cola contains more than an entire day's worth of "added" sugar.

3. Go unwrapped.
Focus on whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods prepared by food manufacturing companies and that come in a wrapper, box, bottle, can or package can have "added" sugars. Try to eat fewer processed foods; but if you do choose a prepared or processed product, be sure to read the food label for both the grams of sugar and "added" sugar as well as the other ingredients.

4. Don't try to quit sugar all at once.
You're more likely to stick with a habit that's introduced slowly. Try lowering your sugar intake gradually, by swapping out one sugary food or drink with a healthier alternative every day or few days. For example, choose a fresh fruit (no "added" sugar) instead of a chocolate bar.